NCsoft released the Aion free expansion Assault on Balaurea, that will add several new features to the MMORPG. Here's what you can find:

* New Instances: Aion hosts eight new instances each filled with fantastic challenges and enticing rewards. These new instances experienced at both lower and higher levels offer a range of challenges for all varieties of players ranging from solo adventures to full-on Legion raids.
* Pets: Pets are no longer only decorative. Aion redefines how MMORPGs approach pets, creating an entire new subsystem for players to explore as they acquire functional pets capable of storing goods, assisting with crafting or acting as guardians by alerting their masters to nearby enemies. Pets are acquired through in-game purchases, quest rewards, item drops, NCsoft Store, and special promotional events.
* New Zones: Players will explore the vast lands of Balaurea, the home of the Balaur, ruled by the Dragon Lord Tiamat. The Asmodians and Elyos have established fortresses in the two new zones: Gelkmaros and Inggison, each area featuring completely new environments, powerful monsters and unique flight mechanics for players to enjoy.
* Increased Level Cap: Five additional levels can be achieved. With an increased level cap of 55, characters will discover new weapons, earn new items and learn new skills as they explore the dangerous lands of Balaurea.
* Enhanced Flight Mechanics: Brand new flight options in the form of Windstreams allow characters to traverse the vast new zones of Gelkmaros and Inggison with increased speed and unlimited flight time. Windstreams have varying strengths and effects, adding a further layer of depth and strategy to Aion’s highly-acclaimed flight mechanics.
* Twitter Integration: Aion’s new Twitter feed functionality makes player bragging rights easy with its fluid integration into the game. Players can capture and Twitpic up to ten of their favorite screen shots using the updated in-game UI.

Champions Online, Star Trek Online, NeverWinter and more. Cryptic Studios isn't settling down, not long before announcing the new online RPG for Atari.

Jack Emmert told Eurogamer that the studio has "plenty of other games under wraps." He adds that it really is more than one project, and that they have been underway for quite a while.

However, they are now aiming high with NeverWinter, not an MMO but a persistent online RPG where a group of five players can participate in the adventure.

NetDevil announced that LEGO Universe has achieved Gold status. The game is scheduled for October 26 in North America, in both PC and Mac.

The beta will run until the game is released.

MMORPGate.com and SubaGames have teamed up to give our readers access to the Closed Beta of the frantic free MMO Mission Against Terror - MAT.

Don't miss the opportunity to join one of the most anticipated first-person shooters of 2010! Simply click on "Click here to get your key!"

For more information on Mission Against Terror - MAT check out the Free MMO Station game space and visit the official site.

How to redeem your closed beta key:

- Create an account at subagames.com.
- Visit mat.subagames.com to activate your MAT beta key.
- Download and play!

A NCsoft spokesperson told Joystiq that Guild Wars 2 will show up in stores "when it's done". Although there are talks of a 2011 release date, NCsoft wants to make sure that their subscription-less MMO doesn't require first day patches and the like.

Also, the first Guild Wars sold more than 6.5 million units, with about half of it being from European players.

Cryptic Studios has an anniversary event running from September 1 (at 10:00 a.m. Pacific) until September 7 (at 10:00 a.m. Pacific). For the entire week, anyone can play Champions Online for free.

Just click on this link and start being a hero!

The Open Beta for Final Fantasy XIV isn't starting on September 1st, after all. Square Enix announced the postponing due to "a confirmation of critical bugs". There's no new date yet, and let's hope it won't affect the September 30th launch date of the PC version.

Here's the full message:

"FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Postponed

FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, which is scheduled to begin at 02:00 (GMT) on Sept. 1, 2010, will be postponed due to a confirmation of critical bugs. New schedule will be releaseｄ at a later date.

Along with the postponement of FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test, the issuing of registration code for FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test will be postponed as well. With the download of client software's installer, it will be suspended at 02:00 (GMT) on Sept. 1, 2010.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Square Enix revealed the details of Final Fantasy XIV collector's edition, to launch on September 22, 2010, nearly a week before the standard edition's release. There's still no news if the collector's edition will be a PC exclusive.

The collector's edition includes:

* IN-GAME ITEM – Collector’s Edition preorders will include a reward code to receive an exclusive in-game item, the Onion Helm (an exclusive in-game item which accelerates character recovery after falling in battle).

* EARLY ACCESS – Play 8 days prior to the release of the Windows PC Standard Edition (timing of access subject to initial server capacity).

* BEHIND-THE-SCENES DVD – Get an insider look at the making of FINAL FANTASY XIV, with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD.

* SECURITY TOKEN – A FINAL FANTASY XIV–branded Security Token for use with your regular password.

* TRAVEL JOURNAL – Record your travels in this beautifully bound journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art.

* RIGHT OF PASSAGE – Redeem a voucher to receive your fully-personalized Right of Passage Certificate, each stamped with a unique serial number.

* AMANO COVER – Special PC Collector’s Edition illustration by renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano.

Director Nobuaki Komoto revealed more about the fatigue system in Final Fantasy XIV, shedding some light on a feature that many players didn't fully understand.

To sum it up, you'll earn normal experience for eight hours, and after another seven hours you'll stop gaining experience completely. Only after a week the XP earning rate will be normal again.

The reason appointed for this by Komoto is to balance the game and not give an advantage to those players with more free time in their hands. Something that probably won't be well received by all players.

While Final Fantasy XIV launches at the end of September for PC, the PS3 version was delayed to March 2011. According to producer Hiromichi Tanaka, the reason was the lack of memory.

Tanaka said that "On the PC, they have enormous memory. For PS3, there’s a restriction. They are adjusting the memory size and customising it; it took longer then we were expecting. But we’re really working hard to bring it out as soon as possible."

The PC open beta begins early next month.

The official Final Fantasy XIV Twitter has a very important announcement: the open beta test will begin in early September. The complete message is:

The FINAL FANTASY XIV Beta Test Phase 3 will end on August 25, then move to the Open Beta Test in early September. Get ready!

I’m sure you’ll all be ready indeed! Then let us know what are your thoughts on Final Fantasy XIV.

MMORPGate.com, Acclaim and PlayDom have teamed up to give our readers access to the Closed Beta of the Facebook MMORPG Kogamu. Simply click on "Click here to get your key!"

Kogamu is set in the distant future after a technological apocalypse, where nanotechnology mutates humans and animals to create monster-like creatures. The fragile civilization mankind rebuilt has come under constant attack by these enemies. Your mission is to determine who is behind these menacing attacks and find a way to end the evil threat that is endangering the survival of the human race.

Kogamu is a true MMORPG with more story depth and game features than traditional social games. For hardcore gamers, it’s just like their favorite MMORPG except it's portable and no download is required to play!

Join Kogamu Closed Beta

This is your official invitation to participate in the Kogamu Closed Beta test. You are just minutes away from playing the first true Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game (MMORPG) on Facebook!

The purpose of Closed Beta (CB) is to check for bugs and issues before releasing it to the public. While you should have fun, we also expect you to take CB testing seriously and abide by the Codes of Conduct below (you will be removed from CB testing for any violation):

1. Code of Silence – Do not talk about Kogamu to anyone outside of CB. You can only discuss Kogamu with other CB testers in the “Closed Beta Discussion” forum.
2. Code of Patience – Kogamu may be unavailable at certain times, so please be patient because we can’t promise any guarantee of availability as we will be constantly testing and updating.
3. Code of Sacrifice – Your character and any experience or items gained during CB may be erased at any time during testing.
4. Code of Fun – Everyone will be focused on testing, but we want you to have fun doing it without harassing or griefing others.
5. Code of Maturity – You must be 13 years of age or older to participate in CB testing.
6. Code of Responsibility – You will be responsible for providing us with valuable feedback to help improve the game and get it ready for official launch. You should expect to find some bugs during CB since this is the first release. Help us by reporting bugs, completing surveys, and giving feedback on the forums.

BUGS: All bugs and technical issues should be reported on the bug reporter
FORUMS: Give us feedback on the forums and tell us what you think about Kogamu
SURVEY: Complete the online survey after playing Kogamu for a chance to win prizes!

If you agree, go to http://apps.facebook.com/kogamugame and enter your Beta Key serial code to activate your account.

Despite Realtime Worlds going into administration, with a lot of employees losing their jobs, the All Points Bulletin service will continue as it should be, in Europe and United States.

The promised update to criticized aspects such as combat, vehicle handling and matchmaking is on the public test server, proving the commitment of the remaining Realtime Worlds team on improving the APB experience.

Interest on Project: MyWorld, the social game in development at the Scottish studio, has led to 23 people being re-hired. Let’s hope that things keep on improving.

Don't miss the opportunity to join one of the most anticipated MMO games of 2010! Simply click on "Click here to get your key!"

Ministry of War is the world's most sophisticated browser game, with unparalleled graphics and gameplay. MoW is a true free MMO RTS, where you will battle alongside thousands of other players in PvP and PvE warfare. MoW also includes a special Guild vs. Guild (GvG) battle system, where you can vanquish your rivals and become a Guild superpower.

For more information on Ministry of War check out our very own Ministry of War game space and visit the official site.

How to redeem your closed beta key for Ministry of War:

1. Go to MinistryofWar.com/register to create a Snail Games account. (If you already have a Snail Games account, just follow the instructions on the form.)

2. After you have entered your information, click "Create Your Account." You will then be taken to a page where you will redeem your key.

3. Enter your beta key in the box and click "Register Beta Key." If done correctly, the next page will inform you that you are ready to play Ministry of War. Click the "Play Ministry of War" button to go to the game, and log in with your Snail Games account information.

Fallen Earth, LLC has announced a new subscription price table for all players of their post-apocalyptic MMORPG, current and new.

The three month subscription for Fallen Earth is now $39.99 USD, the six month is $71.99 USD and a whole year goes for $124.99 USD. Respective savings are of $5, $18 and $55 USD.

There is also a Customer Rewards Program in development, to award long-time subscribers of the massively multiplayer online game.

Sony Online Entertainment released a new trailer for DC Universe Online, the super-hero MMO that will debut in November 2, 2010 on PC and PS3.

The new trailer shows a lot of gameplay moments and anticipates superpowers such as flying or climbing buildings.

There's still no release date set for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, but Blizzard announced during GamesCom 2010 a limited Collector's Edition for the next expansion. It will retail for $79.99.

This edition will include the following extras:

* Art of the Cataclysm art book, featuring 176 pages of never-before-seen images from the archives of the Blizzard Entertainment cinematics department and the World of Warcraft development team, as well as progressive visuals from multiple stages of development.

* Exclusive in-game pet: he may not be a breaker of worlds just yet, but Lil’ Deathwing will still proudly accompany heroes on their struggle to save Azeroth from his much, much larger counterpart.

* Behind-the-scenes DVD with over an hour of developer interviews and commentaries, as well as a special Warcraft retrospective examining the rich gaming history of the Warcraft universe.

* Soundtrack featuring 10 epic new tracks from Cataclysm, including exclusive bonus tracks.

* Special-edition mouse pad depicting Deathwing menacing the ravaged continents of Azeroth.

* World of Warcraft Trading Card Game cards, including a 60-card starter deck from the Wrathgate series, two extended-art cards, and two Collector’s Edition-exclusive hero cards, marking the first appearance of goblin and worgen heroes in the TCG.

Realtime Worlds, APB developer, is in serious financial trouble. The studio has gone into administration, just a few days after 60 staff were let go.

Realtime Worlds recently announced Project: MyWorld, a social game that is now seen as something of a pitch to publishers and a last resort to save the studio. However, things didn't turn around and it seems that most of the employees are already clearing their desks.

Support for MMO game All Points Bulletin - which didn't really generate much enthusiasm after 4 years of development - is said to be kept by a core team of staff.

More details to come, but things aren't looking good for the studio founded by David Jones, previously from DMA Design.